Meet the people behind NYHO
Luisa-Maria Cordell
Founder & Conductor
Award-winning harpist Luisa-Maria Cordell has travelled the world performing and teaching the harp. Luisa has a busy freelance career playing for leading orchestras and performing as a solo recitalist for European recital series and has been the featured Classical artiste for well-known cruise-liners. Luisa recently made a recording with ‘cellist Julian Lloyd Webber. She has performed for many dignitaries including members of the Royal Family and various Prime Ministers and Statesmen.
Luisa is an experienced educator who enjoys passing on her love of the harp and recently she completed a Postgraduate qualification at The Guildhall School of Music in London studying pedagogy in performance teaching. She has been a guest tutor for the Clarsach Society, the Edinburgh Harp Festival, National Schools Orchestras and The European Youth Orchestra. One of her greatest passions is directing the NYHO and inspiring the next generations of harpists and harp tutors. Having been appointed as harp consultant and project advisor for Britain’s bespoke harp maker Pilgrim Harps, she is also delighted to have formed the Pilgrim Harp Adult Ensemble which has proved extremely popular amongst the adult harp community.
Sioned Williams
Patron
I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Patron of the NYHO.
Privileged to have been involved with young people throughout my life, through teaching, adjudicating, examining, and also, nurturing and fostering talent and ability, I’m excited to encourage and support the NYHO. Young people drive my energy, and an environment of sharing and learning through music making is most joyous and invigorating. Being part of the NYHO is an excellent way of sharing musical expertise through working on repertoire in dedicated rehearsals and through the art of performing to audiences. Enabling young people to create their own music, poetry and artwork, as is presented this evening, is imaginative and shows the highest regard for individual growth.
As the NYHO extend their musical arms to work with harpists from further afield, this is a very exciting period when fostering collaborations and expanding knowledge is so important. Equally important in bringing these young harpists together is to grow friendships through music and culture in today’s turbulent times.
I’ve had a most diverse and creative life, but it has not always been straightforward, however music has always been a constant source of grounding and true happiness. I believe we should all work together to bring as much harmony as we can into this world. I wish everyone the very best with all future plans and I shall be here championing Luisa Cordell and the NYHO.